Full-Time Sheriff’s Detective Comes To North Side Detective Earl Howerton Takes Office At The Fairwood Scope

The North Side’s first full-time sheriff’s detective has arrived.

For almost four weeks, Det. Earl Howerton, a 17-year veteran of the sheriff’s department, has been settling in at the Fairwood SCOPE office.

SCOPE stands for Sheriff’s Community Oriented Policing Effort.

Howerton, who lives on the North Side, says he’ll play a visible role in the community, talking to neighborhood groups, meeting with merchants, talking to students.

“I hope to build community support for the sheriff’s department,” said Howerton. “I enjoy what I do.”

Four other SCOPE offices in West Valley, University, Edgecliff and Millwood already have full-time detectives.

Howerton knows the North Side - it’s where he grew up, worked patrol for three years and where he is raising his family.

The area covered by Fairwood SCOPE includes Rutter Parkway, Whitworth College, to upper Gleneden and Chattaroy. Deer Park has it’s own SCOPE office.

“As detectives, we try to do our homework and try to keep up with who is who,” said Howerton.

But he challenges the community to keep an eye on their own neighborhoods.

“Know the people in your neighborhood, make yourself known. If you see someone unknown on your street, let them know you are watching,” said Howerton.

“If you see suspicious activity, call Crime Check with a good description of the person,” said Howerton.

Open-door garage burglaries, car break-ins and check forgeries are the most common crimes on the North Side, said Howerton.

He marvels at the number of people who leave cell phones, lap-top computers and wallets in unlocked cars parked in the driveway.

“The answer is prevention,” Howerton said. “We could cut crime in half with crime prevention techniques.”

Howerton urges store owners to check identification and match signatures before accepting checks.

He encourages residents to close their garage doors unless they’re able to watch who goes in and out. Lock car doors, even if the car is parked in front of the house.

“People have a real sense of being comfortable,” said Howerton. “There is no reason to be paranoid, just be a little more vigilant about what’s going on around you.”

Howerton is based at the Fairwood SCOPE office on Hastings Road, across from the Fairwood Shopping Center, next to Fire Station 91.

SCOPE president Dean Merritt, moved to Spokane from San Jose, Calif., a few years ago, looking to escape Bay Area crime.

When he started to see signs of crime coming to his Spokane neighborhood, he decided to become involved before it was too late.

“I had to get involved and wake people up,” said Merritt.

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MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The Fairwood SCOPE office has 22 volunteers, and can always use more help, said Merritt. Anyone interested in volunteering or learning more about SCOPE can call 468-8627.